Let me state right up front, I am not in favor of war, but at the same time, I am not in favor of council members presenting this type of a proclamation, when the young men and women of our great country are putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the very freedoms which allow such a group to conduct their weekly street-corner demonstrations. Montclair has more pressing issues than to waste time on this type of matter. This was just an unneeded political statement.

Bravo to Deputy Mayor Roger Terry and councilors Richard Murnick and Cary Africk for their administrative courage in not signing this wasteful proclamation.

I must confess, I come from a different generation, a generation united by common purpose, and common values, such as duty, honor, courage, service and love of family and country. I feel I am qualified to submit this letter.

As a 19-year-old sailor, I underwent a life-changing experience while serving with the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet when we escorted a contingent of Marines off the shores of Lebanon on a peace-keeping mission without a shot being fired.

In reference to Mayor Jerry Fried’s quote, "proclamation was relatively seamless, with no objector coming to the speaker’s podium," consider this letter as a tax-paying Montclair objector. God bless America.